Bucknell University
(4-3)
American (PL Semifinals)
(4-2)
Bucknell Field Hockey Advances to Patriot League Championship After Shootout Win over American
4/22/2021 8:49:00 PM | Field Hockey
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell field hockey team is advancing to the Patriot League Championship game for the eighth time in program history after defeating second-seeded American 2-1 in a shootout at New Balance Field in Boston, Mass. on Thursday. Sophomore goalkeeper Clara McCormick stopped four consecutive American strokes during the shootout as the Bison converted two of their attempts to move on to the title game for the first time since 2017.
No. 3 seed Bucknell will now face No. 1 Boston U. on Saturday for a chance to capture the program's first league title.
"It was a really tactical chess-match type game where neither team wanted to concede too many chances," said head coach Jeremy Cook. "I think the biggest thing from the game for me was our composure and just how comfortable and calm we were on the ball."
McCormick totaled eight saves against 18 American shots as Bucknell held the Eagles off the scoreboard over the first 57 minutes of the game. Megan Keeney and Rachel Apa both converted in the shootout, and the pair also linked up to score Bucknell's only goal in regulation. Patriot League Player of the Year Noor Coenen converted American's only penalty stroke attempt in the shootout.
Both teams were scoreless over the first 55 minutes of the contest. The Eagles dominated the shots category through the first four quarters, and Bucknell didn't record a shot on goal until there was 5:08 left on the clock in the final frame. Bucknell's first shot on goal made it through as Keeney received a pass from Apa and sent it past the keeper to take a 1-0 lead.
The advantage didn't last long, however, as less than three minutes later the Eagles poked one past McCormick to knot it up.
The momentum favored the Bison in the extra periods where they recorded nine shots to American's one. Bucknell also saw seven penalty corner opportunities in the first and second overtimes after American led 8-5 in the category during the first four quarters.
"I think you could really see that in the overtimes. We decided to keep possession of it and really dominated time of possession and dominated the chances in overtime. I was really pleased with that," said Cook. "American is such a great team. They won most of the major awards. They're just really great."
Saturday's championship game is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the Bison will be tasked with beating a Terriers team that went undefeated in the regular season. Bucknell has yet to face the Terriers this spring.
"Normally we would have played Boston earlier in the year. We're going to have to rely on a lot of the video for that. We'll have to have a similar approach, play really disciplined, really composed, move the ball around, wait for our opportunities to come and try to take advantage when they do," said Cook.
This is Bucknell's fifth trip to the Patriot League Championship under Cook.
Team Stats
Keeney, Megan (1)
Assisted By: Apa, Rachel
GOAL by BUCKNELL Keeney, Megan (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Apa, Rachel, goal number 1 for season.
54:52
de Kock, Gaby (2)
GOAL by AMERICAN de Kock, Gaby, goal number 2 for season.
57:34
Keeney, Megan
80:00
